Improvement in let-off mechanism for looms



UNITED STATESV PATENT OEEIoE.

JAMES MAGEE, 0F USQUEPAUGH, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, STEPHEN A. APLIN, OE SAME PLAGE, AND ELISHA C. CLARK, OF KINGSTON, R. I.

IMPROVEMENT IN LET-OFF MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 104,328, dated Juno 14, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MAGEE, of the village of Usquepaugh, county of Washing ton, and State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and Improved Let-Off Mechalr ism for Looms.

My invention relates to that class of looms which is provided with beam-frictions, for regulating tensionV on the warp; and consists in the novel combinations of friction-drums and ratchets with the beam and its shaft, in such a manner that the warp may be eased up or loosened, when desired, without interferin g at all with the adjustment of the friction 5 and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawing furnished and forming a part of the same, is a true, clear, and exact description thereof.

Reference being had to the drawing, Figure l represents, in perspective, a beam with my improvements attached. It is represented as mounted upon a platform. No other portion of a loom is shown, as the application of a beam and its relation toa loom are well known to persons skilled in the art. Fig. 2 represents the same in longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 represents the head ofthe beam and its ratchet-connection.

The same letters of reference are used in all the figures. A

A in each case represents a vertical .friction-bar. Two are placed on each side of the front of the loom. They are pivoted at their lower ends to bases, which are secured to the platform. Each pair, at a proper height from its base, on its inner edge, is provided with a bearing out therein, and corresponding` one with the other. B is the beam.

C in each case is a friction-drum, one of which is placed at each end of' the beam, and arranged to loosely t its shaft. The vertical friction-bars, with the bearings before described, en gage with and support these drums.

D in each case represents pressure-screws in the upper ends of each pair of the frictionbars A, arranged to draw the two together or separate them, and thus increase or decrease the degree of friction upon the drums C. E is a circular plate or head attached to` the end of the beam.

F in each -case is a ratchet, attached to or forming a part of the inner head or end of the drum C. Gr is a pawl, attached to the plate E, and arranged to engage with the teeth of the ratchet F on the drum O. H is a spring, attached to the beam, and arranged to press against the pawl G and keep it constant-ly engaged with the teeth of the ratchet.

I in each case is a vertical stationary standard, for sustaining the beam when the frictionbars are open, and prior to their adjustment after the insertion of a full beam.

The beam, when in position in a loom, as the warp was drawn therefrom, would slowly revolve in the direction indicated by the arrows. It is well known to weavers, and to persons connected with the art, that it is often necessary to loosen up the warp for various purposes.

Great care and attention are generally bestowed upon the proper adjustment of the friction, which is accomplished by various methods, but more generally by means of friction barsor levers, arranged horizontally, bearing upon the beam-heads and acutated by weights. l

Vhen it is desirable to pull back the beam, it can only be practically accomplished by the weaver after removing the weights from the levers.

Upon starting the loom again it is very diicult to get the friction with exactly the same degree of resistance as before, and consequently `the cloth `next'woven will, for some few inches, be uneven. With my improvement it is only necessary to disengage the pawls from the ratchets to allow of a free forward movement of the beam, and then when the beam is pulled back its shaft has only to turn loosely in the centers of the friction-drum s, while the pawls secure it in position, tooth by tooth. lt is therefore possible to maintain through all these changes the same degree of friction throughout the whole run of warp.

By the use of my improvement the necessity of the .so-called friction-head77 on every beam is avoided, and it does not matter 110W loose The loose friction-drum mounted upon the or untrue the arbor of the beam may be, for shaft of und` connected with the beam by the friction is always uniform, for the bearing means substantially :is described, and for the is always effected between the drum C and the purposes set forth.

friction-bars. JAMES MAGEE.

Having thus described my invention, I. Vitnesses:

claim as new und desire to secure by Letters B. B. SHELDON,

Patent- Y J. HENRY WELLS. 

